Press Release #040416(02)-Father-Son Duo Thwart Weekend Auto Theft

Around 6:30 a.m. Sunday morning, San Angelo Police were dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of N. Adams Street for the report of a theft suspect who was being detained by the residents.

Upon arrival, Officers spoke with a resident who said his son woke him up to alert him about a man who was attempting to steal their truck and that he and his son went outside to confront and detain the man with a pipe until they arrived.

Officers detained and identified the suspect as 20-year-old Gabriel Reel. Reel smelled of alcohol and appeared to be intoxicated. Reel confirmed the residents? statements and told the Officers he only wanted to take the truck because he lived far away and needed a ride home.

During the investigation, Reel was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia as well as several items that matched the description of items reported stolen from a vehicle burglary that occurred earlier that morning in the 300 block of N. Van Buren Street.

During his subsequent arrest, Reel spit on one Officer. Reel also spat inside the patrol unit during his transport to jail and refused to exit the patrol unit upon arrival at the jail. Reel was eventually extricated from the patrol unit by force and taken into custody by Jail Staff.

Reel was charged with Resisting Arrest Search or Transport, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Public Intoxication, Harassment of a Public Servant, and his outstanding Arrest Warrants. Additional charges may be filed pending the outcome of the Van Buren Vehicle Burglary investigation.